Honda celebrates 50 years of the successful Civic.
There are few models in the industry as long-lived and successful as the Honda Civic. Together with the Toyota Corolla, the best-selling car in history, and the Volkswagen Golf, the number one of the German brand, the Japanese midsize car is a classic of the classics still valid today.
Launched in July 1972, the Honda Civic has just turned 50 years of life and over eleven generations (the last one was presented in 2021) has managed to sell over 27.5 million units in 170 countries.
In our market, the Civic ceased to be offered at the end of 2021, after the brand stopped production in Brazil.
With hybrid technology, the 11th generation was presented at the Shanghai 2021 Motor Show.
Here, as in other markets, it has been able to be the protagonist of its segment but over time it has gradually distanced itself to become one of the exclusive offers of your category
Born as a compact model, each generation has been able to contribute with its own evolution of the original design by introducing new technologies with the aim of enhancing its two best features: fuel economy and comfort.
1972-1979: a Civic for everyone
The first Civic was developed as a global car for all markets, intended as an affordable and functional option for everyday driving, as it featured 3 and 5-door variants.
The first of eleven generations (1972).
It was one of the first Honda cars to be marketed in Europe and quickly received praise for its compact design, great fuel economy and functionality.
Equipped with the revolutionary CVCC engine, became the first vehicle to meet the world’s most stringent emissions standard (the US Clean Air Act of 1970).
This technology, which allowed the mixture of fuel and air to burn better in the combustion chamber, avoided having to add other anti-pollution systems.
As expected, this gave the Civic a resounding commercial success in the United States, where its rivals had to equip expensive catalytic converters which significantly increased its final price.
The first generation of the Civic began production in Suzuka, Japan. Accumulated production volume reached million units in the first four years.
The second generation (1979) increased its size
1980s: consolidation
In 1979, on the strength of the success of the original Civic, the second generation with an updated 1.3-liter CVCC-II engine that, in addition to delivering power more smoothly, offered better fuel economy.
The range has also been expanded with sedan and country versions with 1.5-liter engines. A five-speed manual gearbox has also been added to the range.
The model introduced a distinctive new two-section trapezoidal design with a more angular front grille and headlights. However, these forms were transitory, as the Civic’s popularity grew and a new model was needed to meet consumer demand for larger cars.
Third generation (1983). Available in three bodies: sedan, sedan and rural
The third generation is launched in 1983 with a longer wheelbase and a more angular design that will eventually become a style standard for a long time and which is still applied in all models of the brand to offer more space and practicality.
This generation was available with three bodies: a three-door that emphasized sporty driving, a sedan and a five-door family (Civic Shuttle), which offered more space and versatility.
In addition, the sportier Civic Si version was introduced, equipped with a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts (DOHC).
1987-2000: the new era
In 1987, the Fourth generation The Civic offered new engine options with Honda’s VTEC system. Its revolutionary variable valve timing mechanism offered improved performance at high revs and optimized fuel consumption at low revs, leading to numerous awards.
Shortly after, in 1991, the fifth generation which was characterized by offering a design with a sportier profile, without sacrificing the daily functionality for which this car had become famous.
The fifth generation (1991) showed a silhouette with more rounded lines.
The sixth generationn appeared in 1996 and was the first to bring the box “Hondamatic”, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). In turn, a year later, the Civic Type R was presented, the first high-performance version.
The Millennial Civic
The seventh generationn came in 2000 and a year later the first Civic with hybrid technology was introduced, becoming one of the most efficient five-seat petrol series vehicles in the world, with a reported average mileage of 29.5 km / h.
In 2005, the five-door version of the eighth generationbetting on a futuristic style for European markets, a Perspex grille and triangular details (including dual tailpipes) that have positioned it as one of the most distinctive style vehicles on the road.
In addition, it was the first generation of the Civic to include the Honda Magic Seats multi-configurable seating system, in which the rear seat bases could be folded down to increase load capacity.
The eighth generation (2005) showed a great leap in aesthetics.
This was made possible by placing the fuel tank under the front seats, a formula for interior space and great functionality that is still used today in various Honda models, such as the HR-V and Fit.
In turn, the ninth generation (2011) with a 1.6-liter DTEC engine, it managed to beat the Guinness Book of Records by uniting the 24 contiguous countries of the European Union with an average fuel consumption of 2.82 L / 100 km, over a distance of 13,498 kilometers during a 25 day trip.
In 2015 the tenth generationcompletely renewed, with two VTEC TURBO engines as an option, and equipped for the first time with advanced Honda SENSING safety and driver assistance systems.
With a stiffer frame and more dynamic performance, the Civic type R 2017 set a new lap time record for front-wheel drive cars on the northern ‘Nordschleife’ section of the German Nürburgring circuit in April 2017.
The eleventh generation was launched in 2021, the year in which marketing in Argentina was stopped.
The eleventh and current generation was presented in 2021 at the Shanghai Motor Show, although there are still markets that are still waiting for it.
Available in five-door and sedan variants (coupé style), it is characterized by offering the e: HEV hybrid propulsion system, which combines a new 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine with two electric motors accompanied by a new 72-cell lithium, newly developed and lighter.
The result: a maximum power of 184 hp and 315 Nm of torque which at the same time is able to offer a consumption of less than 5 liters per 100 kilometers.
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Source: Clarin
